Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-17
SENATOR sTANFoKD,s ANSWER.
Tie Reason Why He Declines to Answer
Certain Questions.

SAY FRANCISCO. August l6th.-[Special. Sen
ator Stanford has filed his answer in the United
States Circuit Court in the matter of his refusal
to answer certain questions propounded by the
Investigating Comm issiOn. The answer recites
that the railroad company mas complied with
every provision Of the Act of Congress of July
/, 1852, up to the present time. Yet, upon the
arrival OF the Commission in this city the vari-
GUS officers of the company haze promptly ard
eheerfully afforded 10 the Commission every
facility for q full, complete and most thorough
investigation of all matters. This examination
has not only extended 10 the affairs of the Cen
tral Pacific Railroad Company, but it has eX-
affairs Of all the consolidated and allied COM
panies connected Herewith.
Despite all the information thus promptly and
cheerful1y extended TO the Commission it in
sists upon an investigation of matters with
which the Government has and can have no
possible concern. What disposition may have
been made of the eompany's assets in the past,
or what disposition may have been made of
such portion of its assets or earnings as the
Government has and never had any interest in,
IS matter with which the Government can
have no possible concern.
In the answer submitted to the Commission on
behalf of the company | have aires dy stated,
and now state, that in determining the amount
oil the net earnings OF the company. for the pur-
pose of aseertaining what would be coming to
the Government, or the amounts In respect to
which satisfactory and detailed vouchers are
not furnished shall be regarded as If the money
represented by such vouchers were on hand and
the account with the Government settled as II
such moneys remained uneXpended.
The Commission insists upon answers 70 1ueS-
tions the insistence upon which can have no
possible effect upon any of the Just relations be-
tween this company and the Government and
can only tend to cast doubt and suspicion upon
parties whose names may be mentioned IN the
course of such investigation. AS the subjects i'll
respect to which these questions IRE propounded
are OF an exclusively private character, and in
no way aiectiug the interests of the Govern
ment, neither the company nor its Officers feel
called upon TO answer them
During the course of the examination by the
Commission, questions have been propounded,
and g line OF examination pursued manifestly
prompted by disaheeted and hostile parties,
whose aims were more in pursuit OF a personal
enmlty OF q private character than in the in
terests of the public at large the ends of JUS
tiec. To answer any of the Objectionable oueS-
tions propounded necessarily gives rise 10 the
implication that all the persons whose names
may be mentioned, in questions to which an
swers are declined, gnilty of the acts of com
mission which IS implied in the bare asking of
the question.
In my testimony given to the Commissioners
nave said in substance. and now repeat, that
have never corrupted, nor attempted to corrupt
any member of q Legislature nor auy member
OF Congress, nor any public Official nor have
authorized any agent 10 do so. In regard to the
vouchers offered in the present application /
nave have already submitted my explanation 20 the
commission, and have already said to them
as have herleneefore stated-that they shall
not be allowed in any wise to ipjuriously affect
the interests Of the Government.
l regret that the Commission has deemed il
ats duty to PROFOUND questions involving crimi-
nal1ty on my part and on the part OF the persons
whose names have been mentioned by the Com
mission IN sucp questions. the answers 10
which-for reasons already stated have felt
constrained 70 decline to answer
Acting not merely on my own behalf but
In behaif OF those whose interests, as stock
holders of the Central Pacific Railroad are com
mitted TO my charge, feel bound 10 decline to
answer them, unless the Court should otherwise
direct. feel that am entitled not only per-
SOuAlly 10 the benefit of constitutional
antee, Sut that all my Gelow-citizeus whose in
terests /, through this company, represent, are
likewise entitled to their benefit. And there
lore respectfully submit thdt l am not re
quired to answer the questions propoundel. nor
should the Court make the order prayed for in
the petition herein.